Sufjan Stevens - Seven Swans

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Music reviews of Seven Swans

Music Review: natural born healers
Rating: 5 Stars

Often an influx of color and surprise would arrive in the form of troubadours wandering into these encampments accompanied only by a banjo, a guitar, and a possible canine companion. In his own way each had formed his own peculiar combination of whimsy and song based in large on stories long ago adapted from the good book. Since most of the downtrodden were illiterate and starved by situation for spiritual comforts, they welcomed these wayward intrusions. These so-called folk balladeers had honed their craft, never relying on snake oil, fire and brimstone, nor quoting from scripture; through song and story they provided rays of hope, a future vision of light from the darkness - parables about the simple life, simple ways that led to lessons learned and a leap of faith into the unknown. They were not preachers or ministers, but good natured artist, adapted to the game of survival, sharing their thoughts and feelings about this or that. If something struck a chord it would translate as a message and gospel from the heart - musical soul food. Their company would lighten burdens and reacquaint humor with joy for even the briefest of long overdue moments.

Jump forward some 70 years later and much has changed, some not. The roads have been paved, electric lines run, fast foods mask as diet, and technology is rapidly advanced as both home entertainment and weapons of rule. Moving at speeds unfathomed as a society and civilization, family focus in sync with environment has become disengaged, desensitized, disenchanted, and disillusioned. Natural born instincts and intuitions have dulled by the mere repetitions. Predictably, the value of capital still moves through the stock markets. Sacred attention paid to it's every flux, protecting against isolation and collapse, never again being possible.

Enter Sufjan Stevens, the modern day chronicler and poet of melancholy and lament. To translate fully and bridge the gap of time it was necessary this material sound very organic. A solo artist in the truest sense, he plays every instrument and writes every song on Seven Swans. With the able help of Daniel Smith and family on production and vocals, Sufjan turns out songs of remarkable wisdom and heritage on the spirit of man from long, long ago. The opening banjo riff on All the Trees of the Fields Will Clap Their Hands evokes an almost civil war ballad atmosphere. Ditto with The Dress Looks Nice on You bespeaking a simpler time when people took the time to express such niceties and languish on the passing of a day. These eloquent and harmonized voices, apparent on A Good Man is Hard to Find, Seven Swans, and The Transfiguration build as a choral crescendo, a Polyphonic Spree without the glad, revealing there are no secrets, no hidden messages. This is the good news, any news available to all.

As a testament of goodwill and intent, Sufjan proves confident and competent on subjects rooted in the biblical that are often hard to share or discuss. This natural ability too soothe and subtly suggest by song and lyric marks Sufjan for distinction. A true native son of the Americana, he has not sought commercial commerce of his product through compromise. Lauding the little labels, Asthmatic Kitty and Sounds Familyre have proved aptly representative and up to the task to date. No one could have predicted the critical acclaim and hunger that has followed his two most recent releases. His sojourn in relative obscurity is all about to end. His talent is too immense to ignore or deny. You should find a copy of Seven Swans (or the equally superb Michigan for that matter) and enjoy the demarcation where old worlds and new ones meet. These riddles have not been solved, but addressed and updated for modern man. No need for extremes, there is medicine for what ails and aches. Take this personal and poignant journey while mystery and discovery still thrive in abundance as companions, ageless and enduring.

Description of Seven Swans

Alternative Rock CDs

• Music > Styles
• Country
• Folk
• Pop
• Rock